STORY HIGHLIGHTS

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister visited his constituency Gorakhpur for the first time after his victory in the state assembly polls

Yogi Adityanath, who visited visited his constituency Gorakhpur for the first time since becoming the Uttar Pradesh chief minister Saturday, said there would be no discrimination on the lines of caste, religion or gender in the state.

The firebrand right-wing five-time legislator from Gorakhpur, who has a history of agitation against minority Muslims, has had political observers worried ever since he took charge of India's most politically-crucial state.

"There will be no discrimination in name of caste, religion and sex. There will be overall development," Adityanath said in his address at the Maharana Pratap Inter College here.

Adityanath also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the former had entrusted him with the responsibility of making the dreams of the state come true.

"Prime Minister Modi`s development programmes are being made available to all the citizens. He had laid foundation for a fertilizer company and AIIMS hospital. Now we are confident that
the population of the state will not feel left out. He wants that every citizen must get benefit from the schemes of the government," he added.

Highlighting the loopholes of the previous government, Adityanath said Prime Minister Modi was worried as how to fix things and bring development in the state.

"Brain drain was a problem. Businessmen were moving out, youngsters didn`t see hope. Women, anganwadi workers continue to protest, and no heed was paid to the plight of workers and government employees," he added.

Adityanath further vowed to turn Uttar Pradesh as developed state, saying that they would dedicate themselves to the service of the state."We will fulfil all our promises. Uttar Pradesh will be turned into a developed state. We need your support to make that happen," he added.

Vowing to curb corruption in the state, Adityanath said they will show as how the government works and performs.Slamming the hooliganism prevailing in the state, Adityanath said," Gorakhpur has been a laboratory for all such criminal activities. People would get scared if you told them you were from Gorakhpur. But now safety will be guaranteed. We want your support. Your support will be my strength to ensure law and order and safety here," he added.

The chief minister also clarified that the anti-romeo squads must not trouble youngsters unnecessarily, adding that stern actions would be taken against the eve-teasers.

"We have formed anti-romeo squads and now eve-teasers will be dealt with. But girls and boys on moving around or sitting at any place should not be troubled if it is with their consent," Adityanath said in his address.

Adityanath, who is on a two-day tour to Gorakhpur has visited the city for the first time after taking charge as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.

The former priest also visited the city's temples including the famous Goraknath Math.

On Friday, Adityanath visited a Dalit gang-rape and acid attack survivor who was forced to drink acid by two men on board a train. He also gave a cheque of Rs one lakh as compensation to the victim's husband and directed the police officials to immediately nab the accused and initiate strict action against the guilty.The woman is undergoing treatment in Lucknow's King George's Medical University hospital.

Earlier in the week, he launched 'Anti-Romeo' squads contain sexual assaults and harassments in public areas, ordered to shut down of illegal slaughter houses and banned the use of pan masala and tobacco in the government premises in the state.